A speeding driver can alter your life forever. As a pedestrian, you can do everything right when it comes to walking, like waiting for the walk signal before taking your first steps across an intersection. However, a negligent driver can still hit you with their vehicle.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Shreveport have one simple rule: you do not have to bear the monetary consequences of an accident that was not your fault. When you suffer from injuries in a pedestrian accident, seeking legal guidance can help you move forward.
Damages You May Recover after a Pedestrian Accident
There are many types of damages you can reclaim after a pedestrian accident. While every accident is different, here are some of the common damages that a pedestrian accident lawyer in Shreveport may be able to obtain for you:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Property damage
You may also be eligible for compensation in a wrongful death claim if your loved one suffered fatal injuries. Recoverable damages in that case include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Your loved one’s medical bills
- Wages and benefits your loved one had provided
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
- Pain and suffering
If the driver who caused the accident was behaving recklessly, the court may also award you punitive damages. These are meant to punish the defendant and deter future acts of this nature.
For a free legal consultation with a Pedestrian Accident lawyer serving Shreveport, call 800-537-8185
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
With traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, you may be wondering how pedestrians sustain injuries while walking. A few causes of pedestrian-car accidents may include:
Distraction
Sometimes, drivers are not as attentive as they should be. They can be distracted by a text, phone call, or radio knobs, all of which may yield results that can harm pedestrians.
Chain Reaction
When motorists get into a collision with one another, the series of rear-end accidents that can occur can injure pedestrians severely or even cause them to lose their lives.
Design Defects
Design flaws and crosswalks situated in the wrong area can yield painful results, especially for pedestrians. A typical problem with crosswalks is failing to consider upstream and downstream traffic flows.
Ignoring Road Regulations
Severe accidents can occur when motorists and cyclists fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. By driving recklessly or speeding, a driver can run a red light and hurt a bystander in the process.
Intersections
The standard rule of looking both ways before turning at an intersection exists for a reason. A careless driver not looking first and making a right turn with a red light in front of them is likely to hit pedestrians.
Speed Limits
Failure to follow speed limits can be catastrophic to any bystander. Speed limits help to prevent a delayed reaction should there be any sudden changes in the road and traffic.
Driving Under the Influence
Motorists who get behind the wheel while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal or prescribed drugs can kill or severely injure bystanders. In most cases, the harm occurs even before the police pull the vehicle off the road and perform alcohol breath testing via a blood alcohol concentration test.
Types of Injuries Following Pedestrian Accidents
Due to the obvious size to weight difference, a pedestrian accident can cause significant injuries. The larger the vehicle is, and the greater the speed, the higher the force of impact will be. The following are common injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents.
- Head injuries: This type of injury may include concussions and severe traumatic brain injuries. The ensuing effects of head injuries can include decreased cognitive abilities, slurred speech, severe headaches, sensitivity to light and noise, and post-traumatic seizures.
- Lacerations: Due to the impact, victims may suffer deep cuts and bruises, as well as significant damage to major organs. The effects of lacerations and contusions may include severe bleeding, pain, swelling, scarring, fractured bones, and nausea.
- Spinal cord injuries: This type of injury may result in permanent loss of motor function, strength, and sensation below the site of the injury. Due to the injuries, the victim may also experience loss of bladder and bowel control and changes in sexual function, sensitivity, and fertility.
- Orthopedic injuries: This type of injury may include broken bones and severe damage to other areas of the musculoskeletal system.
Even at a slow speed, a vehicle can cause injuries severe enough to require hospitalization. However, the Louisiana Department of Transportation recorded 114 pedestrians killed and 1,392 injured in 2019. If you lost a loved one in the accident, your pedestrian accident lawyer in Shreveport can help you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
Click to contact our Shreveport Personal Injury Attorney today
Who Is Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident?
After your accident, our Shreveport pedestrian accident lawyers move quickly to investigate the cause and find the at-fault party. Once we have undeniable proof of their negligence, we will file a personal injury lawsuit against them and a claim against their insurance company to recover damages.
Should multiple people be responsible for your actions, we will hold them liable, too. The liable parties may include:
- The maintenance company: If the crew in charge of vehicle maintenance missed a problem due to negligence, we may be able to hold them liable.
- The manufacturer of the vehicle: If defective vehicle equipment caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, we will file a product liability case against them.
- The driver: In most cases, the driver is the liable party in the pedestrian accident. Their actions, which may include negligent driving, driving under the influence, and distracted driving could be the reason for your injuries.
Should You Hire a Shreveport Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Following the accident, you may find it beneficial to hire a Shreveport pedestrian accident lawyer. We understand that you may be overwhelmed at the thought of taking legal action while nursing your wounds. A lawyer can help you understand what you should do after a pedestrian accident. Your Shreveport pedestrian accident attorney can:
- Investigate the cause of your accident
- Gather evidence and eyewitness testimony
- File your claim before the deadline
- Negotiate a settlement with insurance
- Represent you in court if necessary
As a personal injury law firm with over 30 years of experience, we can take care of all your legal needs so you have time to take care of yourself.
How Long You Have to File Your Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
Louisiana has a statute of limitations for pedestrian accident lawsuits that you must adhere to. Under Louisiana Statutes § CC 3492, you only have one year to file a lawsuit for personal injury. Failing to file your claim in time could mean you have to pay for accident-related losses on your own.
Let a Shreveport Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Work for You
You should not have to pay for your medical expenses after someone else’s negligence injures you. Your pedestrian accident attorney in Shreveport from the Morris Bart law firm will work diligently to recover damages for your injuries.
We’re available to take your call 24/7. Schedule your free consultation today. We can get started on your case while you concentrate on your health.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
